It seems like overnight my tank was overtaken with algae. While I'm sure it's been slowly building up, I just noticed it. It appears there's both a brown and a greenish algae. I would definitely like to get something to help with the algae and add to our tank (just 2.5 platies). When we started out we had a bn pleco, and I loved how awesome he was, but I'm not sure our water parameters are fitting for one. I believe my last ph reading was 7.6 (will do another tonight after a water change and tank cleaning), and I know we have hard water. I called to get the gh and kh, but the only number the guy gave me was the caco3 was 186 parts per million. He's the head of the water dept and said that's the only thing they test for. Since we only have a 20 gallon tank I'm not sure what other options I have.

SinCrisis

04-25-2013 02:47 PM

Could we get some pictures of the algae? it will be best to identify the type of algae to make the best decision is removing it.

Brown algae sounds like diatoms, which is natural and will occur, usually, in new tanks.

Green algae could be a variety of algae and will require different changes to the tank to remove it.

AbbeysDad

04-25-2013 03:12 PM

Algae's, like all living things need food, air and light. Some algae is almost expected, but we don't want too much. High nitrates and too much light encourages algae growth.

Without knowing the details of your tank maintenance or lighting setup, I'm thinking you might consider increasing the volume of your weekly water change and reducing your lighting duration.

casssch

04-25-2013 03:26 PM

1 Attachment(s)

I'm not sure I'm posting the picture right, as I'm on my phone, but it sows both types. The tank has led lights.

MoneyMitch

04-25-2013 03:28 PM

is the tank planted at all or are you adding any ferts if in fact it is planted? how often are you w/c do you vac the substrate? a pic of the algae in question would be of great help to first diagnose what type it is then we can go from there.,

casssch

04-25-2013 03:36 PM

It's not planted. I currently do water changes with a vacuum, thoughI removed the gravel as my vac wasn't doing a good job with it. I aim for weekly, but it's unfortunately been 2 weeks.

MoneyMitch

04-25-2013 03:42 PM

the algae from what I can tell is fine, your always going to have algae in a colum of water its nature at work. no algae in a tank at all and I would be worried. algae and aquariums will always go hand in hand as algae is a natrul way to balance the tank. now you are saying it pretty much exploded overnight. something happened to cause this.

rtecently change filter?
add any chems?
some excess food?
ammonia?
nitrate?
how long is the light on for

casssch

04-25-2013 04:48 PM

The Light! My husband has started a new job, and he feeds the fish, so the light has been on an extra 2 hours every day this week.

Also, after looking at the snail profiles, I'm thinking about getting a couple apple or rabbit snails, but it recommends sand. Can you add sand to an existing tank?

DepressedSweater

04-25-2013 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by casssch
(Post 1872121)

The Light! My husband has started a new job, and he feeds the fish, so the light has been on an extra 2 hours every day this week.

Also, after looking at the snail profiles, I'm thinking about getting a couple apple or rabbit snails, but it recommends sand. Can you add sand to an existing tank?

I changed from gravel to play sand in one day on a tank that's about 3 month's old and I had no losses.:-D

MoneyMitch

04-25-2013 10:41 PM

adding sand ontop of gravel and the sand will eventually settle under the gravel and youll end up with gravel ontop. best to remove gravel then add sand. im getting ready to do this myself (taking out gravel and adding sand in a established tank)